The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1887-04-08

her genius, SO that she could rise and bear him
with her as, in Bulwer Lytton's beautiful
story, Zoo would have borne her lover. Here
ni last was man who understood, who was
something more than an animal and who
possessed the godlike gift Of brains, tho git
that had been more of q curse than blessing
to her, lifting her above the level OF her sex
and shutting her of as by iron doors from
the understanding OF those around her. All!
IL only this perfect love of which she had
read so much would come to him and her, life
might perhaps grow worth the living.
1t is a curious thing, bnt in such matters
most men never learn wisdom from expert
ence. A man Of John Nicls age mig>t have
guessed that 1t is dangerous work playing
with explosives, and that the quetest, most
harmless looking substances arc sometimes
the most explosive. He might have known
that to set to work to cultivate the society o.
woman with such telltale eyes as Jess was
TO run the risk Of catching the fire from them
himself, to say nothing of setting her alight;
he might havo, known that to bring all the
weight of his cultivated mind to bear on her
mind, to take the deepest interest in her
studies, to implore her to let him see the
poetry Bessie told him she wrote, but which
she would show to no living soul, and to
cvince the most evident delight in her singing
were one and all dangerous things to do; and
yet he did them and thought no harm.
As for Bessie, she was delighted that her
sister should have found anybody whom she
cared to talk to or who could understand her.
1t never occurred to her that jess might fall
in love. jess was the last person in the world
to fall in love. Nor did she calculate what
the results might be to John. As yet at any
rate, she had no interest in Capt. Niel-of
course not.
And SO things went ON pleasantly enough
to all concerned in this drama till one fine
day when the storm clouds began to gather.
John had been about the farm as usual till
dinner time, after which he tool; his gun and
told Jantjc to saddle up his shooting pony.
He was standing on the veranda, waiting for
the pony to appear, and by him was Bessie.
looking particularly attractive in q white
dress, when suddenly he caught sight of
Frank Muller's great black horse, and that
gentleman himself upon it, canterng up the
avenue Of blue gums
"Hullo Miss Bessie" he said, "here comes
your friend.'
"Botherl' said Bessie, stamping her foot,
and then, with quick look, "Why do you
call him my friend:"
~ imagine that he considers himself SO, to
judge from the number of times week lie
comes to see you," he answered, with shrug.
"At any rate, he isn't mine, so l am off
shooting. Good-by l hope that you win
enjoy yourself"
"You are not kind, she said in a low voice,
and turning her back on him.
In another moment he was gone, and Frank
Muller had arrived.
"How do you do, Miss Bessie.' he said,
jumping from his horse with the rapidity of
man who had been accustomed to rough
riding all his life. "Wherc is the 'rooibaatje
off tor
Capt. Mel is going out shooting" she said,
coldly.
"Ah, so much the better for you and me,
Miss Bessie! We can have pleasant talk.
Where is that black monkey, Jantiea Here,
Jantje, take my horse, you ugly devil, and
mind you look after him, or I'll cut the liver
out of you'll"
jamie took the horse, with forced grin of
appreciation ut the joke, and led him off
round the house.
II don't think that jamie likes you, Mein-
heer Muller" said Bessie, spitefully, "and |
don't wonder at il if you talk to him like
that. He told me the other day that he had
known you for twenty years." and she looked
at him inquiringy
This casual remark produced remarkable
effect on the visitor, who turned color be-
heath his tanned skin.
"He lies, the black hound" he said, aand |
I'll put bullet through him if he says it |
again What should know about him or |
be about mes Can I keep count of every |
man monkey l meet.' and he NUT |
4 al, Dad ~.
beard.
Really, meinheerw said Bessie
"Why do You call nc 'meinheer?" he |
,sked, turning SO fiercely on her that she
started back step. II tell you l am not
Boer. am an Englishman My mother was
English and besides thanks to Lord Cainar-
ron, VIC arc all English now"
Il don't SEQ why you should mind being
bought Il Boer," she said, coolly; "there are
ONO very good people among the Beers, and,
,esi les You used TO be a great patriot"
used 10 be-ycs; and so the trees used to
pnl 20 the north when the wind blew that
way, bet now they bend to the south, for the
ind has turned. By and by it may set to
he norih again-that is another matter
len We shall see
Bessie made no answer, beyond pursuing up
Il it!til1 l-lDlttu ttlti SiONlN u ftul |
lo,n the vino that trailed overhead.
The big Dutchman took off his hat and
.ro.;ed his beard perplexedly. Evidently he
,as ret!itnting something that he was afraid
D say Twice no fixed his cold eyes on
'ess;e's fair face, and twice looked down
gain. The second time she took alarm.
"Excusc HE one minute" she said, and
lade as though TO enter the house.
Il 4 Ia 1
,ted, breaking into Dutch in his agitation,
nd even catching hold of her white dress
18th his big hand.
She drew the dress from him with quick |
visit of her 1.-the form, and turned and faced
I'M.
II beg your PARDON she said, in tone
nat could not be called encouraging; you
ERE going to say something"
"Yes-ah, that isl was going to say" {
nd he paused
Bessie stood with polite look of expecta- 8
Oh on her face, and waited.
II was going TO say-that, in short, that l {
ant to marry you!"
"Oh!' said Bessie, with start. q
"Listen,n he went on, hoarsely, his words i
altering force as he proceeded, as is the way c
zen with uncultured people when they speak
ON tho heart. "Listen! love you, Bessie; a
have loved you for three years. Every
me have seen you have loved you more.
ont say me nay-you don't know how /
We you dream of you every night; some 7
mes dream that l hear your dress rustfing, h
nd then you come and kiss me, and it is like :
ling in heaven
Here Bessie made gesture of disgust.
There, | have offended you, but don't be !,
lsry with me. | am very rich, Bessie; :.
ere is the place here, and then have four =
rms in Lydenburg and 1000 morgen up in u
aterEerg, and 1000 head of cattle, besides u